FIVE NEW YORK CITY ORGANIZATIONS THAT HELP WOMEN IN NEED
For Women’s History Month, ClearPath will be discussing some of the most prevalent women’s issues in poverty and homelessness, prominent institutions that assist underprivileged women as well as profiling influential women from New York City who have left a mark on how New York deals with homelessness.
This article deals in sensitive topics of domestic abuse, human trafficking and gender violence. If you or a loved one are at immediate risk, call 911.
More than a year after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, it has become clear that the socioeconomic effects of the pandemic have disproportionately affected traditionally marginalized and underserved populations. As more workers of color leave the workforce, more poor families enter into debt and COVID-19 deaths skyrocket among homeless and vulnerable populations, the necessity for targeted intervention and assistance arises.
In the United States, women have fallen into risk of poverty at a more rapid rate than men; according to a study from Human Rights Watch, nearly 73% of those who left the workforce were women. The societal expectation for women to take on the role as caregivers in the family, along with the closing of schools and gender pay gaps among spouses, have traditionally led to the vulnerability of women’s stability in the workforce during periods of economic stress.
In New York City, a number of organizations and shelters have worked through the pandemic to cater to the needs of vulnerable, at risk and homeless women. These organizations work with women to mitigate and treat the traditional causes of women homelessness, including domestic violence, low paying jobs and lack of access to governmental family support. Each organization is currently operational, and contact information for each organization will be provided below.
WOMEN IN NEED (WIN)
Headed by former City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, Women in Need (WIN) is the largest operator of shelters in New York City. Each year, nearly 10,000 New Yorkers are housed by WIN, and 90% of the families housed by WIN are led by women. The scope of WIN is enormous; according to their website, nearly 10% of homeless families in New York City are housed by WIN. The organization offers both transitional and temporary housing for displaced and homeless people, life skills training, counseling and educational and child care services for vulnerable families.
Contact WIN: https://winnyc.org/are-you-homeless/
THE SHIRLEY CHISHOLM SHELTER
Though technically a part of the WIN system, the work of the women at the Shirley Chisholm center throughout the pandemic merits its own spotlight. Previously profiled by ClearPath, the Shirley Chisholm Center was instrumental in the continuing education of previously homeless and at risk children during the pandemic, leading to calls for universal wi-fi in all homeless shelters. The call was heeded by the Mayor’s Office, and a plan to install functioning wi-fi in every New York City homeless shelter was released in 2020.
Contact the Shirley Chisholm Center: (718) 443-4100
COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS
One of the foremost homeless advocacy organizations in the United States, Coalition for the Homeless operates a number of specialized housing for different communities, including single women and families. Coalition for the Homeless operates a small number of shelters for HIV-positive homeless people and scattered housing for homeless adults, but offers outsourcing to specifically tailored housing, including two shelters for single adult women in Ocean Hill and the Bronx.
Contact Coalition for the Homeless: https://www.coalitionforthehomeless.org/get-help/
SANCTUARY FOR FAMILIES
Dedicated to serving victims of gender violence and at risk families, Sanctuary for Families works to empower those affected by domestic abuse and gender violence, working with clients to achieve economic self sufficiency, mental wellness and safety. In addition to confidentially located shelters, Sanctuary for Families offers legal services and counseling for underserved peoples, services for victims of human trafficking and community outreach and training.
Contact Sanctuary for Families: https://sanctuaryforfamilies.org/get-help/
LALITAMBA SARANAM
Located in Manhattan, Lalitamba Saranam describes itself as a “sanctuary for women in transition”. Colloquially known as “Frederick’s Place” in reference to the cat mascot of the organization, Lalitamba Saranam is partnered with World Peace Shrine, a worship center in midtown. Frederick’s Place works holistically to help women in their shelter to improve their mental and spiritual stability, as well as finding eventual security after a stay in temporary housing. The organization also offers prayer services, curbside food delivery for the homeless and counseling.
Contact Lalitamba Saranam: (212) 873-0140
